The construction of the A.B. Barret residence hall is scheduled to be completed in August, and renovations to the parking lot adjacent to the Vanderpool Building will be completed in the middle of July.

For immediate release
June 22, 2005

Construction continues through the summer on the new A.B. Barret residence hall and several other projects on the Abilene Christian University campus.

During the initial phases of the residence hall, construction fell behind schedule; however, the contractors managed to make up much of that time, said Bob Nevill, director of physical resources. Nevill says he is confident that the building will be open at the start of school with only the landscaping to finish.

Another significant change in the appearance of the campus will come with the addition of a new multipurpose track around the campus. Construction is scheduled to begin within the next few weeks. Stretching nine feet in width, the new walk-jog concrete track will roll across 11,000 feet circling ACU's campus. Emergency phones will be placed around the track for safety, along with stretching and resting areas. Mile markers will show the distance traveled and lights will be added every 80-100 feet along the track.

On July 5, the former Industrial Technology Building will be removed in order to improve the entrance to Teague Special Events Center and to allow for future renovation of the Big Purple marching band parking lot and practice field.

Other construction projects are in the works as well. Plans to expand the Office of Alumni Relations have already begun with the leveling of a neighboring house to create a parking lot. Room 113 in the Administration Building, which was once a lab, has been renovated into the ACU Credit Union office. The former Faculty and Staff Dining room in the Campus Center has been transformed into "The Depot," a one-stop-shop that will consolidate student services for easy accessibility. Nelson Hall is undergoing renovation including new carpets, new fixtures, sinks, a redesign of the closet layout, and the installation of more energy efficient windows.

In addition, the berm on the east side of Judge Ely Blvd., across from ACU, now has grass planted, and more than 90 pecan trees have been ordered and await transplantation.